Can't find codec for AVI file

[Dave M G]

    Thank you for the suggestions. But I'm a little confused - is 
Automatix a package I can get through Synaptic? I don't see it there.

    And what is "marillat"?

    I tried VLC, but it neither plays the file nor returns an error. The 
progress meter moves along as if a file was playing, but there's no 
sound or picture.

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Dave M G